Hebrews 9 · Verse 10

Hebrews 9:10

Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Hebrews 9:10, King James Version

Hebrews 9:10 in other translations

BSBThey consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.
WEBbeing only (with foods and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.
ASVbeing only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation.
YLTonly in victuals, and drinks, and different baptisms, and fleshly ordinances--till the time of reformation imposed upon them.
DARBYconsisting only of meats and drinks and divers washings, ordinances of flesh, imposed until the time of setting things right.
BBEBecause they are only rules of the flesh, of meats and drinks and washings, which have their place till the time comes when things will be put right.
WebsterWhich stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

What does Hebrews 9:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10. Which--sacrifices. stood--consisted in [Alford]; or, "have attached to them" only things which appertain to the use of foods, &c. The rites of meats, &c., go side by side with the sacrifices [Tholuck and Wahl]; compare Col 2:16. drinks--(Le 10:9; 11:4). Usage subsequently to the law added many observances as to meats and drinks. washings--(Ex 29:4). and carnal ordinances--One oldest manuscript, Syriac and Coptic, omit "and." "Carnal ordinances" stand in apposition to "sacrifices" (He 9:9). Carnal (outward, affecting only the flesh) is opposed to spiritual. Contrast "flesh" with "conscience" (He 9:13, 14). imposed--as a burden (Ac 15:10, 28) continually pressing heavy. until the time of reformation--Greek, "the season of rectification," when the reality should supersede the type (He 8:8-12). Compare "better," He 9:23.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 10. Which stood only in meats and drinks. The idea is, that the ordinances of the Jews, in connexion with the services of religion, consisted much of laws pertaining to what was lawful to eat and drink, etc. A considerable part of those laws related to the distinction between clean and unclean beasts, and to such arrangements as were designed to keep them externally distinct from other nations. It is possible, also, that there may be a reference here to meat and drink offerings. On the grammatical difficulties of this verse, see Stuart on the Hebrews, in loc.

And divers washings. The various ablutions which were required in the service of the tabernacle and the temple--washing of the hands, of the victim that was to be offered, etc, It was for this purpose that the laver was erected in front of the tabernacle, Ex 30:18, 31:9 Ex 35:16, and that the brazen sea and the lavers were constructed in connexion with the temple of Solomon, 2Chr 4:3-5; 1Kgs 7:26. The Greek word here is baptisms. On its meaning, Mt 3:6; Mk 7:4.

And carnal ordinances. Marg. "Or, rites or ceremonies." Or, "Ordinances of the flesh;" that is, which pertained to the flesh, or to external ceremonies. The object was rather to keep them externally pure than to cleanse the conscience and make them holy in heart.

Imposed on them. Laid on them--επικειμενα. It does not mean that there was any oppression or injustice in regard to these ordinances, but that they were appointed for a temporary purpose.

Until the time of reformation. The word here rendered reformation --διορθωσις means, properly, emendation, improvement, reform. It refers to putting a thing in a right condition; making it better; or raising up and restoring that which is fallen down. Passow. Here the reference is undoubtedly to the gospel, as being a better system--a putting things where they ought to be. Comp. Acts 3:21. The idea here is, that those ordinances were only temporary in their nature, and were designed to endure till a more perfect system should be introduced. They were of value to introduce that better system; they were not adapted to purify the conscience and remove the stains of guilt from the soul.

(e) "meats and drinks" Lev 11:2 (f) "washings" Nu 19:7 (1) "ordinances" "rites or ceremonies" (g) "imposed" Eph 2:15

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 10 In meats and drinks, and divers washings - He had already mentioned eucharistic and sacrificial offerings, and nothing properly remained but the different kinds of clean and unclean animals which were used, or forbidden to be used, as articles of food; together with the different kinds or drinks, washings, βαπτισμοις, baptisms, immersions, sprinklings and washings of the body and the clothes, and carnal ordinances, or things which had respect merely to the body, and could have no moral influence upon the soul, unless considered in reference to that of which they were the similitudes, or figures. Carnal ordinances - Δικαιωματα σαρκος· Rites and ceremonies pertaining merely to the body. The word carnal is not used here, nor scarcely in any part of the New Testament, in that catachrestical or degrading sense in which many preachers and professors of Christianity take the liberty to use it. Imposed on them until the time of reformation - These rites and ceremonies were enacted, by Divine authority, as proper representations of the Gospel system, which should reform and rectify all things. The time of reformation, καιρος διορθωσεως, the time of rectifying, signifies the Gospel dispensation, under which every thing is set straight; every thing referred to its proper purpose and end; the ceremonial law fulfilled and abrogated; the moral law exhibited and more strictly enjoined; (see our Lord's sermon upon the mount); and the spiritual nature of God's worship taught, and grace promised to purify the heart: so that, through the power of the eternal Spirit, all that was wrong in the soul is rectified; the affections, passions, and appetites purified; the understanding enlightened; the judgment corrected; the will refined; in a word, all things made new.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hebrews 9:6-10

The apostle goes on to speak of the Old Testament services. Christ, having undertaken to be our High Priest, could not enter into heaven till he had shed his blood for us; and none of us can enter, either into God's gracious presence here, or his glorious presence hereafter, but by the blood of Jesus. Sins are errors, great errors, both in judgment and practice; and who can understand all his errors? They leave…

Read the full comment on Hebrews 9:6-10 →

Hebrews 9:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

μόνονmonon[consisting] onlyG3441
ἐπὶepiinG1909
βρώμασινbrōmasinfoodsG1033
καὶkaiandG2532
πόμασινpomasinin drinksG4188
καὶkaiandG2532
διαφόροιςdiaphoroisin variousG1313
βαπτισμοῖς,baptismoiswashings,G909
δικαιώματαdikaiōmataordinancesG1345
σαρκὸςsarkosof [the] fleshG4561
μέχριmechriuntilG3360
καιροῦkairou[the] timeG2540
διορθώσεωςdiorthōseōsof reformationG1357
ἐπικείμενα.¶epikeimenabeing imposed.G1945

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Hebrews 9:10

  • Colossians 2:16

    Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

  • Ephesians 2:15

    Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

  • Hebrews 7:16

    Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

  • Leviticus 11:2-47

    Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. …

  • Hebrews 2:5

    For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

  • Deuteronomy 23:11

    But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.

  • Hebrews 9:1

    Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

  • Leviticus 16:24

    And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.

  • Deuteronomy 21:6

    And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:

  • Ezekiel 4:14

    Then said I, Ah Lord God! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth.

  • Leviticus 16:4

    He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

  • Galatians 4:3-4

    Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in meats.
13:9; Le 11:2-47; De 14:3-21; Eze 4:14; Ac 10:13-15; Col 2:16
divers.
6:2; *Gr:
10:22; Ex 29:4; 30:19-21; 40:12; Le 14:8,9; 16:4,24; 17:15,16; 22:6
Nu 19:7-21; De 21:6; 23:11
carnal.
1; 7:16; Ga 4:3,9; Eph 2:15; Col 2:20-22
ordinances. or, rites, or, ceremonies. until.
2:5; 6:5; Ga 4:4; Eph 1:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Hebrews 9:9

    Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

  • Hebrews 9:10

    Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

  • Hebrews 9:11

    But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Read all of Hebrews 9

Hebrews 9:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Consistiendo sólo en viandas y en bebidas, y en diversos lavamientos, y ordenanzas acerca de la carne, impuestas hasta el tiempo de la corrección.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		culte qui consiste seulement en viandes, en breuvages, en diverses ablutions, ordonnances charnelles imposées jusqu’au temps du redressement.
German
Elberfelder 1871		welcher allein in Speisen und Getränken und verschiedenen Waschungen besteht, in Satzungen des Fleisches, auferlegt bis auf die Zeit der Zurechtbringung.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et variis baptismatibus, et justitiis carnis usque ad tempus correctionis impositis.